Babar Azam is reinstated as Pakistan’s Test cricket captain after Shan Masood is removed from the role. Multiple outlets report that the change follows Pakistan’s poor results during Masood’s tenure, which began when he took over from Azam in late 2023. Yahoo Sports notes that Pakistan lost 12 of 16 Tests under Masood, and that the decision is framed by Pakistan selectors as an effort to find more effective leadership.
Selector Aaqib Javed is quoted by Yahoo Sports saying the board wanted a captain who can lead the team “in a much better way.” The reporting also places the timing of the reinstatement ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming international tours, specifically to the West Indies and England. BBC Sport and Yahoo Sports both describe the switch as a return for Azam to the captaincy before those tours, while the Winnipeg Free Press article is listed under the same news development.
Overall, the sources agree on the leadership change, the performance context during Masood’s time as captain, and that the decision is made with upcoming overseas Tests in mind.
